Process for making textured threads without twist recovery or untwisting

ABSTRACT

Process for making textured threads which are not subject to twist recovery or untwisting, from synthetic fiber materials consisting of capillary fibers, with a view to obtaining the characteristics of native vegetable threads, comprising the steps of continuously feeding the fiber materials, e.g., from a doublewire spindle, through a feed zone where preferably tension is regulated, heating the materials so as to fix the twist applied thereto, successively cooling the materials, thereby strengthening their intermolecular structure, and subjecting the same to texturing, followed by optional winding up of the completed single or mixed textured threads.

Mite States Patent [191 Miinzner ]March 20, 1973 [54] PROCESS FOR MAKING TEXTURED THREADS WITHOUT TWIST RECOVERY OR UNTWISTING [75] Inventor: Gerald Johannes Miinzner, Leipzig,

Germany [73] Assignee: VEB Vereinigte Baumwollspinnerein und Zwirnerein, Baumwollspinnerei Foha, Foha, Germany 221 Filed: July 6,1971

[21] Appl.No.: 159,820

[52] 11.5. CI ..57/l57 TS, 57/157 F, 28/1 .4 [51] Int. Cl. ..D0lh 7/90, D02g 1/16 [58] Field of Search ..57/34 R, 34 HS, 34 B, 58.49, 57/5852, 58.59, 59, 140 T, 157 R, 157 TS,

157 MS, 157 F;28/1.3, 1.4

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,803,108 8/1957 Stoddard et a1 ..57/34 HS X 3,034,279 5/1962 Gentle et a1. ..57/34 B UX 3,041,816 7/1962 Stuewer ..57/l57 F X 3,457,610 7/1969 Williams et al. ..28/l.3 X

Primary Examiner-Donald E. Watkins Attorney-Tab T. Thein [5 7] ABSTRACT Process for making textured threads which are not subject to twist recovery or untwisting, from synthetic fiber materials consisting of capillary fibers, with a view to obtaining the characteristics of native vegetable threads, comprising the steps of continuously feeding the fiber materials, e.g., from a double-wire spindle, through a feed zone where preferably tension is regulated, heating the materials so as to fix the twist applied thereto, successively cooling the materials, thereby strengthening their intermolecular structure, and subjecting the same to texturing, followed by optional winding up of the completed single or mixed textured threads.

10 Claims, 2 Drawing Figures PATENTEUMARZO I915 3,721; 082

FIG. 1

GERALD JOHANN MUNZNER PROQESS FOR MAKING TEXTURED THREADS WITHOUT TWIST RECOVERY OR UNTWISTING The invention relates to a process for making textured threads or yarn which do not have the effects of twist recovery or untwisting of the used, preferably continuous filament or fiber materials consisting of capillary fibers.

Native vegetable staple fibers such as cotton have a high economic importance in particular fields of application in the industry and the households on account of their specific characteristics in use such as low elongation, high strength and the like. Such characteristics could not be attained so far by other raw materials. Thus for example a viscose staple fiber lacks among others a corresponding strength. On the other hand synthetic fibers display in the original form the specific characteristics of either silk or wool..

Native staple fibers have the disadvantage that the manufacture of yarn goods imposes high technological expenditures which are due to the unavoidable processing stages such as cleaning, parallelizing, stretching and spinning.

With a view to covering the constantly increasing requirements in textiles, and for making a thread in an efficient manner, textured silks have been developed among others. In the first place synthetic threads are being used which consist of a plurality of capillary fibers. Texturing generally means a physical or chemical modification having the purpose to increase the volume and/or the elastic elongation, and generally to alter the silk structure.

Texturing is carried out for example by running the thread through a so-called adaptor. This may include inwardly directed fine bores through which air emerges with very high pressure, in the form of individual streams, at various angles of inclination with respect to the threads so that the individual capillary fibers are displaced and brought into a diffuse state by the formation of loops, curls or twists.

Synthetic silks can be processed into fully or lesser elastic threads in several procedural steps or in a onestep texturing procedure. The manufacturing technology is consequently relatively simple.

Devices are known for the continuous production of for example crepe-type crinkled threads, particularly of continuous synthetic fibers, in which short-time storage or accumulation is provided on a heated collector, intermediate to successive two-wire twisting steps. In accordance with this two-wire twisting procedure the thread is given a twist, it is fixed and thereafter the crinkled thread is untwisted.

A procedure is thus available which allows the production of an elastic thread which however cannot reach the required use characteristics of a native, vegetable staple-fiber-like thread.

Various processes are furthermore known in which a twist is temporarily provided by false twisting, the thread being crinkled as a result of whirling in a turbulence zone, and after the false twist has been removed, the thread is wound up. It should be noted however that the false twisting imparts these procedures the disadvantage that the thread is given a degree of elasticity which makes the processes unsuitable for the specific application of threads of native vegetable staple fibers.

Furthermore so-called true-wire twisting processes are known in which the threads are made on twisting machines -by pre-twisting, fixing and untwisting, discontinuously and in several steps. Even these procedures impart a certain degree of elasticity to the thread on account of its recovery which does not lead to the required specific tasks.

For making synthetic or mixed textured threads with the specific characteristics of native vegetable staple fibers, other manufacturing processes became known. They consist of several technically independent working processes such as twisting up, fixing, finishing, texturing and spooling or winding onto commercial cross formers or cores.

For high-twist threads so far ring twisting or tier-type twisting machines have been used. These procedures however allow only a relatively low feeding speed. The elements rerequired for fixing and texturing are technically complicated and thus economically too expensive. Owing to the low feeding speeds of hitherto known twisting processes consequently the economic expenditure was much too high in a single-process arrangement so that textured threads with the specific characteristics of native vegetable staple fibers had to be manufactured in several procedural stages.

It should also be noted that a low transit speed in the texturing zone has an undesirable effect. The air stream of the adaptor acts for too long a period on the same spot of the thread so that the individual capillaries of the thread to be textured can be formed into much too large loops or curls which are disadvantageous from the standpoint of appearance as well as processing technology. 7

It is an object of the invention to provide a process wherein only one processing stage is necessary for making a textured synthetic thread or a mixed thread with specific properties, such as low elasticity and high strength, and wherein the economic expenditure is in an acceptable proportion to the technical and technological performance.

It is another object of the invention to provide a process for continuously making highly twisted threads from synthetic materials. The working speed should allow the use of a fixing and texturing zone in the same material flow, excluding undesirable side effects during the texturing phase.

According to one of the important features of the invention the process is characterized in that the fiber material is continuously fed from a rotary organ such as a double-wire spindle, through a feed zone which has a heating element associated therewith, to a consecutive cooling zone followed by a texturing zone, and then with a final winding stage, thereby to produce a thread consisting of synthetic materials or of several components, having the character of native vegetable threads. Preferably the threads are given a permanent twist, such as by means of a double-wire spindle. In the feed zone the moving speed of a pair of take-in rolls can be controlled and regulated with respect to a pair of outlet rolls, thereby to regulate the tension of the threads. In the controllable range of the feed zone the threads may be passed along or within a heating element for fixing the twist imparted by the spindle. Subsequently a cooling zone provides continuous solidification or strengthening of the intermolecular structure. After cooling, the fixed capillary fibers of the threads can be brought in a diffuse state, namely in a texturing zone, by means of a gaseous or liquid medium applied in an adaptor. Finally the threads can be wound up on a core and the like.

A modified procedure, according to the invention, relates to the production of textured mixed threads wherein the double-wire spindle is supplemented by a supply device with a thread body or holder. A preferably viscose thread derived from the supply holder can be united into a mixed thread in a hollow cylinder of the double-wire spindle by using the thread coming from the latter. The invention thus provides a continuous process for making mixed threads consisting of several fibers, by tension regulation, fixing, cooling, texturing and spooling.

It was thus finally possible to devise a procedure which eliminates all the disadvantages and deficiencies of the known state of the prior art, allowing a textured, synthetic or a mixed thread to be produced with specific characteristics, such as low elasticity and high strength, as is representative of threads made from native vegetable staple fibers. Only one operating phase is necessary, and the economic expenditure in using heating elements and texturing devices is in a favorable relation as compared to the technical machine performance.

The inventive process allows to produce a high-twist thread in a continuous process at a working speed which allows the use of the fixing and texturing zones in a single pass and work flow with the rotating organs, simultaneously eliminating unwanted side effects such as the formation of too long loops or curls.

Other objects and many of the attendant advantages of the invention will be readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description, when considered with the accompany drawing, wherein FIG. 1 shows an arrangement for practising the process of the invention for making synthetic threads; and

FIG. 2 is a modified arrangement (shown in part) for the process of making mixed threads.

In the arrangement of FIG. 1, a double-wire spindle l carries a spool with thread 2 which is relatively or absolutely non twisted. By conventional and appropriate rotation of the spindle 1 the thread 2 is given the required degree of twist. The thread is then led past a guide 3. In a subsequent feed zone there is a pair of take-in rolls 4 and a pair of outlet rolls 5, preferably each having a drive unit associated therewith, schematically shown at 4a and 5a, respectively. The feeding speed of the rolls 4 can be controlled and adjusted with respect to that of the rolls 5 so that the thread 2 can be relaxed or stretched depending on the desired effect and/or material used.

A heating element 6 is provided in the feed zone, the thread 2 passing therealong or therein, producing a temperature which is below the melting point of the thread, so as to fix the molecular structure of the hightwisted thread 2 in its present form.

A guide roller 7 takes the thread 2 through a cooling zone 8 where the intermolecular structure is so strengthened that the structure becomes permanent.

A subsequent texturing zone consists essentially of a conventional adapter which brings the fixed capillary fibers of the thread 2 in a diffuse condition, by the application of a gaseous or liquid medium, the thread now having the appearance of at least partly protruding staple-fiber ends. The thread can then be wound in a device 10, including for example two rolls, and driven by a conventional mechanism schematically shown at 10a.

It will thus by seen from the foregoing that the inventive process, for making textured threads, uses a spindle, preferably in the form of a double-wire spindle, from where the high-twist thread runs to a controllable feed zone in which the desired tension and relaxation are imparted. This zone also includes a heating element for fixing the twist applied to the thread. This is followed by a cooling zone, a texturing device and optionally a winding device.

As can be seen in FIG. 2, the inventive process is also adapted to produce textured mixed threads as the arrangement provides a supply device 11 associated with the spindle 1, namely for another thread holder 12 from where a thread 2', preferably of viscose material, runs over a guide 13 into the hollow cylinder of the spindle 1 where it is united with the thread 2 provided as in FIG. 1. I

The rest of the arrangement has been omitted from the schematic illustration, and it will be understood by the experts in the art that the mixed thread 2" can be passed through the consecutive zones 4, 6, 5, 8 and 9 so as to be eventually wound up at 10, just as the thread 2 of FIG. 1.

The preceding description will make it clear that the inventive process allows to produce textured mixed threads by introducing a viscose thread into the twowire spindle where the original thread is united therewith in a high-speed twisting operation. The material combined or united to a mixed thread successively passes through the stages described in connection with FIG. 1, the treatment being substantially the same as for the single threads of the first-described procedure.

It is preferred in this alternative procedure to regulate the tension of the united threads while they pass through the feed zone, fixing the twist applied to the threads by said heating step, and cooling the threads between the feed and the texturing zones so as to strengthen their intermolecular structure. Preferably, the step is included of bringing the fixed capillary fibers of the united threads into the described diffuse state by the application of a fluid medium, as described earlier, such as in a conventional adaptor which is usually provided in the texturing zone.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing disclosure relates only to preferred embodiments and variants of the invention, and that it is intended to cover all changes and modifications of the examples described which do not constitute departures from the spirit and scope of the invention.

What I claim is:

l. A process for making single and mixed textured threads without twist recovery or untwisting, from synthetic, preferably continuous, filament or fiber materials, consisting of capillary fibers, comprising the steps of continuously feeding the fiber materials from a rotary organ such as a double-wire spindle through a feed zone, heating the materials in the latter, successively cooling the materials, and subjecting the same to ing the step of controlling the moving speed of the fiber materials in the feed zone between pairs of feed-in and outlet rolls so as to regulate their tension.

3. The process as defined in claim 1, further comprising the step of cooling the fiber materials between the feed and the texturing zones so as to strengthen their intermolecular structure.

4. The process as defined in claim 1, further comprising the steps of forming at least one thread from the fiber materials at the rotary organ and imparting thereto a permanent twist.

5. The process as defined in claim 4, further comprising the step of fixing the twist applied to the at least one thread by said heating step in the feed zone.

6. The process as defined in claim 5, further comprising the step or bringing the fixed capillary fibers of the at least one thread into a diffuse state by the application of a fluid medium, such as in an adaptor provided in the texturing zone.

7. The process as defined in claim 1, for making mixed textured threads of the described characteristics, further comprising the step of feeding other fiber materials from a spool and the like and uniting the same with the fiber materials fed by the rotary organ.

8. The process as defined in claim 7, further comprising the step of forming a thread from at least one of the fiber materials, fed from the rotary organ and from the spool, and wherein the fiber materials are united with the so formed at least one thread.

9. The process as defined in claim 8, wherein two threads are formed from the fiber materials, fed from the rotary organ and from the spool, which threads are united to form mixed threads, further comprising the steps of regulating the tension of the united threads while passing through the feed zone, fixing the twist applied to the united threads by said heating step, and cooling the united threads between the feed and the texturing zones so as to strengthen their intermolecular structure.

10. The process as defined in claim 9, further comprising the step of bringing the fixed capillary fibers of the united threads into a diffuse state by the application of a fluid medium, such as in an adaptor provided in the texturing zone. 

1. A process for making single and mixed textured threads without twist recovery or untwisting, from synthetic, preferably continuous, filament or fiber materials, consisting of capillary fibers, comprising the steps of continuously feeding the fiber materials from a rotary organ such as a double-wire spindle through a feed zone, heating the materials in the latter, successively cooling the materials, and subjecting the same to texturing, followed by optional winding up of the completed single or mixed textured threads, whereby the characteristics of native vegetable threads are imparted.
 2. The process as defined in claim 1, further comprising the step of controlling the moving speed of the fiber materials in the feed zone between pairs of feed-in and outlet rolls so as to regulate their tension.
 3. The process as defined in claim 1, further comprising the step of cooling the fiber materials between the feed and the texturing zones so as to strengthen their intermolecular structure.
 4. The process as defined in claim 1, further comprising the steps of forming at least one thread from the fiber materials at the rotary organ and imparting thereto a permanent twist.
 5. The process as defined in claim 4, further comprising the step of fixing the twist applied to the at least one thread by said heating step in the feed zone.
 6. The process as defined in claim 5, further comprising the step or bringing the fixed capillary fibers of the at least one thread into a diffuse state by the application of a fluid medium, such as in an adaptor provided in the texturing zone.
 7. The process as defined in claim 1, for making mixed textured threads of the described characteristics, further comprising the step of feeding other fiber materials from a spool and the like and uniting the same with the fiber materials fed by the rotary organ.
 8. The process as defined in claim 7, further comprising the steP of forming a thread from at least one of the fiber materials, fed from the rotary organ and from the spool, and wherein the fiber materials are united with the so formed at least one thread.
 9. The process as defined in claim 8, wherein two threads are formed from the fiber materials, fed from the rotary organ and from the spool, which threads are united to form mixed threads, further comprising the steps of regulating the tension of the united threads while passing through the feed zone, fixing the twist applied to the united threads by said heating step, and cooling the united threads between the feed and the texturing zones so as to strengthen their intermolecular structure.
 10. The process as defined in claim 9, further comprising the step of bringing the fixed capillary fibers of the united threads into a diffuse state by the application of a fluid medium, such as in an adaptor provided in the texturing zone. 